Gilroy
– Brian Rossi’s arm may need to be checked for rubber. The
sophomore southpaw provided a gutsy effort Tuesday, nearly going
the distance while throwing more than 150 pitches as host Gavilan
outlasted Cañada 10-8 in a Coast Conference contest.
Gilroy – Brian Rossi’s arm may need to be checked for rubber.
The sophomore southpaw provided a gutsy effort Tuesday, nearly going the distance while throwing more than 150 pitches as host Gavilan outlasted Cañada 10-8 in a Coast Conference contest.
“He battled his (behind) off,” Rams coach Neal Andrade said of Rossi.
While Rossi was tagged for eight runs (six earned) and 11 hits, the San Benito product gave the team a big lift by pitching into the ninth inning. He was finally relieved with two outs after allowing two runs in the inning. Joseph Vasquez took over and got the final batter to hit a soft liner to second for the final out.
“His last three or four starts have been like that,” Andrade said. “He’s giving us a chance to win.”
Sophomore catcher Seth Hudson, another former Haybaler, was behind the dish for the first time in two weeks. He’s battled a back injury all season and took advantage of the team’s 10-day layoff to help get some rest and get healed.
“It’s the best feeling I’ve had all season. It’s the first time I’ve felt healthy,” said Hudson, whose improved health was evident on a day where he went 4 for 4 with three doubles and four RBIs.
Hudson first double came in a big spot in the second inning to give Gavilan (11-17 overall, 5-10 conference) its first lead of the day.
Trailing 2-1 and facing a bases-loaded, two-out situation, Hudson laced a liner that got over the center fielder’s head to clear the bases and give the Rams a 4-2 advantage.
“That was the catalyst for the entire game,” Hudson said of the clutch hitting.
The Colts tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, but Gavilan responded with two of its own.
Josh Torrise led off the inning by blasting a home run to left and Drew Anderson, who reached on an error, scored on Hudson’s second double of the day to make it 6-4.
The Rams added to it in the fifth. With one out, Julian Castaneda singled and Daniel Salinas reached on a fielder’s choice when the throw to second was not in time. Both moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a two-run single by Anderson. Scott Mead followed with a double to plate Anderson.
Some sloppiness helped Cañada snag a run in the sixth. With the Colts’ Lance Turner on first, Dan Fernandez laid down a bunt. Rossi jumped off the mound to field it and threw to first, where they ruled first baseman Efrain Ruiz was off the bag. Turner headed to third and Ruiz fired over to Hudson, who was covering. The throw was in the dirt and Hudson lost track of it as Turner headed home.
Hudson found the ball and threw to Rossi, who was racing toward the plate to cover, but that throw was wild and he scored, while Fernandez moved to third.
“That felt like when a Little Leaguer gets an inside-the-park home run on a bunt,” Hudson said.
But the Rams recovered and in the bottom half of the inning, Hudson doubled again and scored the Rams final run and they held off Cañada’s late charge.
While Gavilan is likely out of the playoff picture with 10 games remaining, the team is hoping to finish strong and do some damage to its remaining opponents.
“We just want to be the spoiler,” Hudson said. “If we can beat teams like Cañada, we have a chance to at least put Gavilan on the map.”
The Rams began a four-game road trip Thursday when they traveled to face West Valley. They’ll be in Hayward at noon Saturday to take on Chabot and will also face Cabrillo and Monterey Peninsula next week before returning home to face West Valley at noon April 21.
